Jose Mourinho does not expect Ibrahimovic to make his comeback until January, but the Swede is more optimistic.

"The knee is almost there," Ibrahimovic said in Gothenburg. "I want everybody to have patience, and when I come back, the world will know. Keep supporting me, have patience, and I will come back stronger than ever."

Mourinho's prediction that Ibrahimovic, who scored 28 goals in 46 games last season, would not be able to return until the new year did not stop the United manager from including him in the squad for the Champions League group stages.

United's last game of the group phase is against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on Dec. 5.

Ibrahimovic has not yet started training with the rest of the United squad after undergoing knee surgery in Pittsburgh in May.

He was absent from the session at Carrington on Monday afternoon as his teammates prepared for the start of their Champions League campaign against Basel.

Marcos Rojo, who suffered a similar injury in the same game against Anderlecht, did take part along with Luke Shaw and Ashley Young.

Shaw has not played for the first team since damaging ankle ligaments in April but has made three appearances for the under-23s this season. Young has not made a senior appearance since injuring a hamstring in May.

Rob is ESPN FC's Manchester United correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @RobDawsonESPN.